The Christian community across the country is all set to celebrate the grand festival of Christmas on Thursday with traditional religious enthusiasm as the preparations have drawn to a close. Special services and functions would be held at all churches in the country while the local organisations and international groups, foreign missions and the United Nations Organisation (UNO) would also be hosting ceremonies.
The celebrations would begin from special midnight services on Christmas Eve from Wednesday while the Christmas Day services will be held on the morning of Thursday, to be led by the bishops and the respective hierarchy of the Christian clergy at their respective churches.
City markets have witnessed a traditional rush and activity especially at bakeries, garment stores, jewellers, toyshops and florists, where people flocked to buy gifts for family and friends besides other essential items. The cheerful occasion of Christmas fills the atmosphere with colours, symbols and traditions of Christmas that mainly includes Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Carols and Christmas gifts.
"Christmas is the major occasion for us to enjoy and celebrate. We decorate Christmas tree in our homes with ornaments and visit family members and friends to greet and exchange some gifts and greeting cards," a group of young girls said.
"We have almost completed our preparations and now preparing to decorate Christmas tree in our homes," they said. The festival of Christmas includes variety of events from official gatherings to cake cutting ceremonies in small communities which are the source of happiness for the community. Girls and boys studying in various educational institutions run by the churches would present tableaus and carols to add charm to the Christmas functions. The main ritual of the Christmas celebration, among others, is decoration of Christmas tree to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus who is also known as Father Christmas.
The Christmas tree is usually decked with different ornaments including baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, stars of different shapes and sizes, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons made from glass, metal, wood and ceramic. An angel and star is often placed at the top of the tree representing the host of angels.
Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations for the people belonging to the Christian faith. With the world becoming a global village, the spirit of Christmas crosses borders and people can see how enthusiastically the festival is celebrated at different places.